UPDATE: Cain jumps into 2012 presidential race

ATLANTA — Herman Cain, a popular Tea Party personality, former CEO and Atlanta talk radio show host made it official on Saturday: He is running for president.

“In case you accidentally listen to a skeptic or a doubting Thomas out there, let me be clear,” The Atlanta Journal-Constitution quoted Cain as saying. “I’m running for president of the United States. I’m not running for second.”

Cain made his announcement before a crowd of 10,000, according to the AJC report, at Centennial Olympic Park. He is the second Republican candidate with Georgia ties running for president; former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich is also mounting a bid, though his campaign is off to a bumpy start.

Cain has not held public office and lost a 1994 bid to serve in the U.S. Senate.

“I believe in a strong military and clear foreign policy that ensures the safety of our country,” Cain wrote in an op-ed posted to FoxNews.com. I believe in lower taxes, less regulation and private sector job creation that ensures the economic stability of our country. And I believe in the moral foundation upon which this nation was based and continues to make Her strong, independent and free.”

Cain is also an ardent supporter of the FairTax, which would eliminate the income tax and the IRS and replace it with a national consumption-based tax.